Railway switch and signal operating and interlocking device



H 1.. G M D M .M T. e K .m w 5 L R E m N 1 D 0N SA OH JA. .R Rm 0 0L &mG '1 HS D N A H G T I W I s m Y m A o W m E A N0. 403,271. Patented May14, 1889.

- N. PETERS. Phclo-Lnho m her. Washingkzm D. C.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

/6 Ina/ W9.-

(No Model.)

H. 8B 0. R. JOHNSON. RAILWAY SWITCH AND SIGNAL OPERATING ANDINTERLOGKING DEVICE.

Patented May 14, 1889.

N. PETERS. Hunk-Lithographer, Wiihlllgvfl, 0: c4

N. PETERS. Phuwlnlwgmpher. Washington D. c

(No Model.)

RAILWAY SWITCH AND SIGNAL OPERATING AND INTERLOGKING DEVICE.

4 t e e h S .S. t 8 e h S N O v N H 0 J R G & H q d O M 0 W RAILWAYSWITGH AND SIGNAL OPERATING AND INTL."RLOCKINGr DEVIGE.

No. 403,271. Patentedlvl'ay 14, 1889,

5 t 6 AU h S. w 6 e h S 5 N O S N H O J R 0 & H m M M O W RAILWAY SWITGHAND SIGNAL OPERATING AND INTERLOQKING DEVICE.-

Patented May 14, 1889.

N PETERS. Phnlo-Liihcgl'nphor. Wilshmglnn. D13.

NITED STATES FFICE.

PATENT HENRY JOHNSON AND CHARLES R. JOHNSON, OF PITTSBURG,

PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SWITCH AND SIGNAL OPERATING AND INTERLOCKING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 403,271, dated May 14,1889.

Application filed August 18, 1886. Serial No. 211,184. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, HENRY JOHNSON and CHARLES R. JOHNSON, both ofPittsburg, in

the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented acertain new and useful Improvement in Railway Switch and SignalOperating and Interlocking Devices, of which the following is aspecification.

In the switch and signal systems heretofore in use the switches, theswitch-locks, and the home and distant signals have most commonly beenoperated by separate levers or devicesone for each-all arranged in aframe and interlocked, so that they can be pulled over and put back onlyin proper rotation.

The object of our invention is to simplify and cheapen such interlockingsystem of switches and signals and to lessen the labor required for theoperation.

W'e accomplish the above objects by novel combinations of parts, whichare hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims, and whichinclude purchase-wheels or hand-wheels of suitable size for convenientoperation, the said purchase-wheels being arranged and connected inpermanent operative relation with connections which are interlocked witheach other and which preferably transmit power and motion by tensiononly.

Our novel combinations of parts also include sliding cam-bars ormotion-plates which are moved by the purchase-wheels and connections,and which comprise cam slots or surfaces of such character that by asingle movement of the plate the switch-lock and signal for any trainmovement will all be operated and held or locked in position afteroperation.

Our invention also includes, in combination with a purchase-wheel orequivalent rotary handle and connections arranged as above described, ameans of operating a distant signal, comprising connections which areset in motion by the movement of the aforesaid motionplate and in whichlost motion or slack is provided, so that the distant signal will not beset to a safety position until after the corresponding switch,switch-lock, and home signal have been properly set for traffic, and sothat in the reverse operation of the partsthe distant signal will bemoved or raised to a danger position before the switch, switch lock, andhome signal are shifted to stop traffic.

In carrying out our invention the purchasewheels or hand-Wheels may haveconnected rigidly with them sprocket or chain wheels for operating linkchains forming a part of the connections operated by tension; or thepurchase-wheels or handles may impart motion through a'rack and pinionto the necessary connections for operating the motion-plate or otheractuating device for shifting the switches, switch-locks, and signals.When the purchase-wheels operate through chains, as above described, thenotched bar, which is necessary for the interlocking lugs or ears towork in, may be inserted in the line of chain as a part thereof, suchbars being so placed in the chains as not to come entirely to thesprocket or chain wheels, even when the purchase-wheels are moved. totheir extreme position.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of a single trackcrossing a double track and including the necessary switches, switchlocks, signals, and their operating mechanism. Fig. 2 is an elevation offour purchase-wheels and their connections, including the horizontallead-off, for operating the switches, switch-locks, and signalsnecessary in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan of the parts shown in Fig. 2 andon the same scale. Fig. 4 is a plan, on a larger scale, of a switch andswitch-lock, together with the sliding motionplate necessary foroperating such switch and switch lock and the signals correspondingthereto, the plate being shown as having two cam-slots operating theparts through double connections for greater security. Fig.5 is anelevation of the motion-plate and connections shown in Fig. 4, upon thesame scale, but omitting the part 7' and its connection j shown in Fig.4. Fig. 5* is a transverse section on the plane of the dotted line at00, Fig. 4. Fig. 5** 9 is a similar section on the plane of the dottedline y y, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an elevation in a plane parallel with itsshaft of one of the purchase-wheels shown in Fig. 2, and which has but asingle sprocket or toothed wheel for working a single system ofconnections and one motion-plate, including also the horizontal lead-offand a transverse section of the horizontally-arranged interlocking bars.Fig. 7 is a corresponding view of a purchase-wheel with twosprocket-wheels for working two motion-plates. Figs. 8 and 9 arerespectively elevations at right angles to each other of apurchase-wheel and flexible connections operated thereby, with theirhorizontal lead-oif, the notched bar with which the interlocking barsengage being here shown as independent of the chain forming a part ofthe connections, and being actuated from the purchasewheel shaft by arack and pinion synchronously with the chain. Figs. 10 and 11 areelevations at right angles to each other of a purchase-wheel and asystem of rack-and-pinion connections through which the purchasewheelshaft transmits motion to the downwardlyextending rod leading therefromand through which the horizontal lead-off is made from the foot of saidrod. Fig. 12 is a plan, and Fig. 13 a side elevation, of purchasewheelshaving their notched bars with which the interlocking-bars engageoperated by a modified form of connections.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

In Fig. 1, A A designate the two tracks of a double-track road, and Adesignates a sin gle-track road crossing the double tracks on grade.Each of the tracks A A is provided on one side of the crossing with afacingswitch, Z), having a facing-point lock or detector-bar, b, andwith home and distant signals C O, and on the other side of the crossingwith a trailing switch, 0. The single track A is provided on oppositesides of the crossing with switches cl, which are either facing ortrailing, according as they are set for trafhe in one or otherdirection, and which have facing-point locks or detector-bars cl. Thesingle track A also has at each side of the crossing and pertaining toeach of the switches (Z a home signal, 0, and a distant signal, 0'. Foroperating either of the switches b or d, with their detector-bars orlooks I) or d and their appropriate signals, G 0, there is employed amotion-plate, D, having a cam-shaped slot or slots, (1 or a bar or plateprovided with other cam-like surfaces or devices, and for operatingeither trailing switch 0 we employ a motion-plate, D also having acam-shaped slot or slots, (1*, or a bar or plate provided with othercam-like surfaces or devices.

The means which we prefer to employ for operating the severalmotion-plates D D are purchase or hand wheels, of which four are shownas arranged in the cabin E in Fig. 1, and are also shown on a largerscale in Fig. 2.

The purchase -wheel B and its appurtenances, as hereinafter described,serve to operate both the motion-plates D D pertaining to the track Afor permitting traffic from X. The purchase-wheel B serves to operatethe motion-plates D D pertaining to the track A for permitting trafficfrom NV. The purchase-wheel B serves to operate the motionplate D on thetrack A to prepare the switch (Z and lock or detector bar (1 with theappropriate signals on one side of the crossing for permitting trafiicfrom Z to Y, and the purchase-wheel B serves to operate the motionplateD on the track A to prepare the switch and lock or detector bar (Z dwith the appropriate signals on the opposite side of the crossing forpermitting traliic from Y to Z.

Having described the relations of the principal parts of the apparatusto each other, we will now proceed to a detailed description of theseseveral parts.

The several purchase-wheels or other rotary handles B B B B are securedupon shafts e, which are each mounted in suitable hearings in a frame orbracket, 6, secured to a timber, F, or other suitable support in thecabin E. In Figs. 2, 3, 0, 7, 8, and J the connections for impartingmotion from these purchase-wheels and their shafts comprise flat linkchains f, which pass around sprocket or toothed wheels c on the shaftsof the purchase-wheels 13 B, which are employed each tooperate a singlemotion-plate, D, for the track A", hay e 011 their shafts singlesprocket-wheels e as shown in Fig. 6, driving into a single chain, f;but the shafts of the purchase-wheels B B, which are employed each tooperate two motion-plates, D D, pertaining to each of the tracks A A,have on their shafts additional s n'ocket-wheels, e, as shown in Fig. 7,which drive into other chains, h, and serve to transmit motion, ashereinafter described, to the motion-plates D.

The chains h and their appurtenances are omitted from Fig. 2 in order toshow clearly the locking-bars f, which are hereinafter described.

As shown in Figs. 2, 6, and 7, the con-nections leading from andconnected with the chains f comprised notched bars f, which form part ofthe locking and interlocking mechanism hereinafter described, and otherchains, f or equivalent wires or wire ropes, which pass downward to andaround lcad-olf pulleys or sheaves f as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, and thenhorizontally to and around the pulleys f (Shown in Fig. 1.) From thispoint the front and back chains f or their equivalents lead one to oneend of the motionplate D, to which it is connected by a shackle, s, asshown in Figs/l and 5, and the other over and beyond the motion-plate,around a sheave, f and thence back to a shackle-connection, s, by whichit is connected with the other end of the motion-plate, as also shown inFigs. 4 and 5.

Attached to and extending from the driving-chains h are other chains orequivalent wires or ropes, h, which pass downward around and lead offfrom sheaves h, thence horizontally to sheaves 721, (shown in Fig. 1,)and thence toward the motion-plate D, one connection, h, being attacheddirectly to one The shafts end thereof and the other being carriedbeyond the motion-plate D and around a sheave, 72,4, and thence to theother end of the said motion-plate, as above described with reference tothe connections f for operating the motion-plate D.

WVe will now describe the several motionplates D D 'and the connectionsthrough which they operate the switches, switch-locks, and signals,reference being had particularly to Figs. 4c, 5, 5*, and 5**. Eachmotion-plate D is supported in a guiding frame or base portion, Dprovided with top, bottom, and side rollers, 11 t" 7?. As here shown,the connections for operating the switch b and the detector-bar b areduplicated in order to afford greater security against accident byreason of any of the connections breaking. The point-rails b b areconnected by the tie-rods b in the usual way, and there are twoswitchoperating rods, b, which extend above and below the motion-plateD, and are guided in the frame D said rods being connected one with eachpoint-rail b. In the motion-plate D are two corresponding cam-slots, dand the rod 19 which extends across above the plate, has a roller, 6engaging one slot, while the rod b extending below the plate, has a acorresponding roller, b engaging with the other slot, as best shown inFig. 5*. Motion being imparted by the rods 19 directly to eachpoint-rail b, said rails will both be operated, even if the tie-rods bbetween them should fail, and if either rod 12 fails the desired motionwill be transmitted by the other rod N. The detector or looking bar I)has con nected with it duplicate rods b extending from duplicatebell-crank levers Z)", and these levers are operated by two rods orbars, 11 which extend across, one above and the other below, the plateD, as shown in Fig. 5**, and are provided with rollers 6 engaging thetwo cam-slots d in said plate.

In case either system of connections 5 b b b fails, the desiredconnection between the detector-bar and plate D will be maintained bythe other system of connections.

The home signal 0 pertaining to each switch I) or cl may be operated byconnections j from a bell-crank or T lever, j, moved by a rod or bar, 7'having aroller, 7' engaging one of the camslots d in the plate D, asshown in Fig. 4, one slot (1 being made longer than the other for thatpurpose. In this example of our invention the distant signal 0' issupposed to be returned to its danger position or raised by weights, andis operated by means shown in Figszet and 5 to lowerit to safetyposition. The connection k for lowering the distant signal is connectedwith a rod, is, sliding in a suitable guide, 10 and having a projectingear, k through which plays loosely a rod, M, which is hooked onto thechain f and is formed with a head, k (See Fig. 5.) hen the chain f orequivalent connection is moved in the direction indicated by the arrowin Fig. 5, the rod will be moved in the direction indicated by its arrowand will play freely through the ear or lug 70, leaving the distantsignal 0' at danger until the head 10 comes against the ear or lug kwhereupon the further movement of the motion-plate D and rod k willlower the distant signal to safety position. By the first returnmovement of the rod 70 in a reverse direction the distant signal will beallowed to return to its danger position, and the rod 10 will thereafterplay idly through the ear or lug 15 during the remainder of itsmovement.

The motion-plates D for operating the trailing switches care not shownin detail, but said switches may be operated by duplicate rods 0,provided with rollers 0 engaging the cam slot or slots (1 as shown inFig. 1. In Fig. 1 we have not shown the motion-plates D D as havingduplicate cam-slots C1 in order to simplify the drawings, but as havingsingle slots d They may have single slots and the usual single system ofconnections with the switches and detector or looking bars; but forgreater security we prefer to duplicate such slots and connections, asshown in Figs. 4, 5*, and

Each purchase-wheel B B, &c., is locked in position by a locking-bolt,m, which may engage one of three or more notches, n n 01 in thelocking-bar f, comprised as a part of the connections leading from eachpurchasewheel. The bolt on, as here shown,is operated from a bell-cranklever or rock-shaft, m, provided with suitable arms, and having anattached pedal or treadle, m on which the foot is placed to release thelocking-bar f and permit the purchase-wheel to be turned and itsconnections to be operated.

In order to afford proper security, it is necessary that thepurchase-wheels B B, controlling the two tracks A A, and the wheels B Bcontrolling the track A should be so interlocked that neither of thewheels B B can be operated after the wheels 13 or B have been turned vtopermit traffic on the track A and in like manner that neither of thewheels B B can be turned after the wheel B or B has been turned topermit traffic on the track A or A. This is accomplished by the slidinginterlocking bar G, (shown in Fig. 2,) which is provided with locks 0 0,which engage the long notches or cut-away spaces p p of the bars f whichpertain to the wheels B B, and with locks 0 0 which engage the nothes gg of the bars f which are connected with the wheels B B. It is alsodesirable that the wheels B B which control the single crosstrack Ashould interlock each with the other, and this is accomplished by thelocking-bars G G which are arranged to slide on opposite sides of thebars f and are provided with locks arranged in the same plane as thebars f. The bar G is provided with locks o 0 which are adapted,respectively, to engage the notch g and the long notch or space 19 inthe barf which pertains to the wheel B and the bar G2 is provided withother locks, 0 0 which are adapted, respectively, to engage the longnotch 12* in the bar f which pertains to the wheel B and the notch q inthe bar f which pertains to the wheel B.

As shown in the drawings, the switches, signals, operating mechanism,and purchasewheels are all shown in what is known as their normalposition or against the movement of traffic, and we will first describethe operations necessary to permit traffic along the track A from thedirection of XV to X.

To permit the turning of the purchase wheel B, the pedal m pertainingthereto is pressed down, and the bolt on thereby withdrawn from thenotch nin the corresponding bar f. The wheel 3 is thereupon turned inthe direction of the arrow thereon, Fig. 2, and the motion-plates D Dcontrolling the track A are moved in opposite directions, as indicatedby the arrows in Fig. 1. If the lockingbolt m be released after thefirst movement of the purchase-wheel B, it will spring into engagementwith the notch n of said bar, look ing the wheel in second position, andthe movement of the wheel B, thus permitted, will have moved the platesD D of the track A sufiiciently to shift both switches I) c for trafiieor to permit trains to be shunted over them without having lowered thesignals 0 C or shifted the switch-lock. If the locking-bolt m pertainingto the wheel B is again withdrawn and motion of the wheel continued inthe direction of the arrow, Fig. 2, the movement of the motion-plates DD pertaining to the track A will be continued, and the switchlock (1 andhome signal C, and finally the distant signal 0, will be shifted fortraffic, the distant signal being the last to be shifted to a safetyposition and the first to be allowed to return to a danger position whenthe rotary movement of the wheel B is reversed. The further movement ofthe plate D, as above described, is accompanied bya continued movementof the plate D, which has, however, no further function in shifting theswitch 0, which remains in its safety position.

\Vhenever it be desired to allow traffic on the track A from X, thewheel B should be turned in the direction of the arrow thereon in Fig.2, and a like operation to that above described will take place.

It will be observed that on the first movement of the wheel 13 or B topermit traffic over the tracks A or A the bars f pertaining theretowill, by bearing on the lock 0 or 0, hold the locks o o in firmengagement with the notches g g and prevent the turn ing of either wheelB or B" during the operation of preparing the switches and signals fortrafficon the tracks A A and while trafficis permitted on such tracks.

To prepare for traffic from Z to Y on the track A the operation is asfollows: The purchase-wheel is first turned from the first positionshown in Fig. 2, and in the di rection of the arrow thereon, to thesecond position, thereby setting the switch (1 on the side Y of thecrossing to trailing position. The first movement of the wheel B by theaction of its barf on the lock 0 moves over the bar G, and by the locks0 0 engaging the notches p 7) prevents either of the purchasewheels B Bfrom being turned. The wheel. B is locked in the second position by thebolt an engaging the notch 01 in its barf, and cannot be moved beyondthat position, because the lower end of the long notch 19 will strikethe lock 0 and said lock cannot yield, as the lock 0 on the same bar, G,is bearing against the barf of the wheel B The switch (Z on the side Yof the crossing having thus been set to trailing position, the wheel 13is turned completely in the direc tion of the arrow, Fig. 2, to shiftthe motionplate D and the switch cl, switch-lock cl, and signals C G onthe side Z of the crossing, all of which are controlled by the plate Dand wheel B The lock 0 offers no obstruction to the upward movement ofthe bar f of the wheel B after the wheel 13 has been turned to secondposition, as described, because by such partial movement of the wheel 13the notch q in its bar f is brought to such position that when the lowerend of the notch 17 strikes the lock 0 the bar G will be movedlengthwise and the lock 0 will enter the notch (1 To prepare for traflicin the direction from Y to Z, it is necessary to first turn the purchasewheel B to second position, with the locking-bolt m engaging the notchn, and then the wheel B is completely turned to shift the switch,switch-lock, and signals on the side Y of the crossing. Both wheels 13 Bmay be turned to second position for setting both the switches (Z at thesame time; but only one wheel at one time can be turned completely overto the third position with the bolt on engaging the notch 01 of its barf, and this can only occur when the other wheel, B or B has been turnedto the second position and is locked by the bolt m engaging the notch nin its barf.

ITO

\Ve have described only the mechanism of apparatus required for a singletrack and a double track crossing each other; but it will, be evidentthat by a similar arrangement of interlocking mechanism we can by fourpurchase-wheels effectively signal and interlock two single ortwo doubletracks crossing each other, or we can by further increasing ordiminishing the number of wheels effectively signal and interlock moreor less complicated intersections of roads.

\Ve will now refer to the modifications of our invention shown in Figs.8 to 13, nclusive.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the axle or shaft 6 of the purchase-wheel B is mountedin a frame or stand, 6, and has upon it a sprocket-wheel, c gearing intoa drive-chain, f, which has connected with it the simple chain or othereoiivalent connection, J, for operating by t nsion. In this example ofour invention the locking-bar f, with its notches n n 02 is not made apart of the connections through whlch the purchase-wheel transmitsmotion, but is independent thereof and is attached to and receivesmotion from a rack, f actuated by a pinion, f, on the wheel-shaft e. Thebarf is locked by a spring-actuated bolt, m, which engages its notchesn, &c., and maybe retracted by a pedal, m

In the example of the invention shown in F1gs. and 11 the sprocket-wheele and flat link or drive chain f are entirely dispensed with and motionis imparted from the purchase-wheel shaft 6 through the pinion f rackf", and locking-bar f. In this case the locking-bar f has connected withits lower end a downwardly-extendin g rack, f gearing into a pinion, fand the horizontal lead-off from this pinion is through racks f withwhich the flexible line-connections f are o ned, and as shown anddescribed in our application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 203,511,filed May 28, 1886. y

In the example of our invention shown in Figs. 12 and 13 thepurchase-wheels B B transmit motion from their shafts 6 through chains fand sprocket-wheels e but the locking-bars f extend horizontally and areoperated through bell-crank levers 1", which are 1n turn operated bynuts 1*, moved lengthwise of the shafts c by screws or worms 0" uponsaid shafts. The locking-bars f have holes or recesses '11 07, M, whichcorrespond to the first, second, and third positions of thepurchase-wheels, and which are the equivalents of the notches beforereferred to. Said bars f are held or locked by a bolt formed on the endof a lever, f, and this lever may be operated by hand, as shown in thecase of the wheel B in Fig. 13, or by a foot-treadle, f as shown in thecase of the wheel B in Fig. 12.

The wheels B, &c., constitute a convenient form of rotary handle and aredesirable, because by the wheel a man can exert a uniform andconsiderable power through a range or length of movement sufficientlygreat to operate a switch with its accompanying lock or detector-bar andsignals by a single operation. This cannot be accomplished with a leverswinging upon a fulcrum. Hand-cranks or other rotary handles for turningthe shafts 6 would be the full mechanical equivalent of thepurchase-wheels.

In these examples of our invention the purchase-wheels transmit themovement imparted to them directly through mechanical connections,which, preferably, are arranged to 0perate by tension only; but, ifdesired, pneumatic or hydraulic devices might be interposed between saidwheels and the parts to be operated and controlled by the wheels.

It will be observed that the several purchase-wheels B, 820., correspondin number with the several systems of switches, switch locks, andsignals for the different train movements, and each purchase-wheel iscoupled or connected by a single system of connections in permanentrelation to the single system of switch, switch-lock, and signals forone train movement which it controls, and does not require to be shiftedbetween its operative movements into operative relation to one or otherof two or more systems of connections and devices, either of which itmay be made to control.

hat we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The combination, with two or more sys tems of connections for movingswitches, switch-locks, and signals, and p urchase-wheels or equivalenthandles for operating said'systems, of notched locking-bars movable bythe purchase-wheels or handles, a positive lock for each bar undermanual control of the operator, and interlocking devices between theseveral bars, whereby the purchase-wheels or handles and the systemswhich they operate are controlled automatically one by another,substantially as herein described.

2. The combination, with two or more systems of connections, each formoving a switch and signal or signals and each formed in part by anotched locking-bar, of purchase-wheels or equivalent handlescorresponding in number to the number of said systems and each arrangedand connected in permanent operative relation with one of said systems,but having no operative connection with the other system or systems, andinterlocking devices between the bars of the several systems, wherebythe purchase-wheels or handles and the systems which they operate arecontrolled automatically one by another, substantially as hereindescribed.

3. The combination, in a grade crossing, of a facing-switch with itsaccompanying switchlock and signal or signals, and a trailing switch onthe opposite side of the crossing, and a single purchase-wheel orequivalent handle, and connections through which it operates both thefacing-switch with its lock and signal or signals, and also the trailingswitch, substantially as herein described.

4. The combination, with a switch, switchlock, and signal, and separateconnections for operating them, of a sliding motion-plate or barprovided with cam-like devices for moving the switch, switch-lock, andsignal separately and in the order named to prepare them for traffic andin the reverse order to return them to their normal condition,substantially as herein described.

5. lhe combination, with a switch, switchlock, home signal and distantsignal, and separate connections for operating them, of a slidingmotion-plate or bar provided with cam like devices for moving theswitch, switch-lock, home signal, and distant signal in the order namedto prepare them for traffic and in their reverse order to return them totheir normal condition, substantially as herein described.

6. The combination, with a switch, switchlock, and signal, of a slidingmotion-plate or bar for operating said devices in the order named toprepare them for traffic and in re verse order to return them to normalcondition, a system of connections for moving said plate or bar, and apurchase-wheel or equivalent handle arranged and connected in permanentoperative relation with said system of connections, substantially asherein described.

7. The combination, in a grade crossing, with a facing-switch withswitch-lock and signal, and a trailing switch on opposite sides of thecrossing, of sliding 1110l-l011-PlLtGS or bars, one for operating thefacing'switch with its switch-lock and signal and the other foroperating the trailing switch, a system of connections for operatingboth motion-plates or bars, and a single purchase'wheel or equivalenthandle arranged and connected in permanent operative relation with thesystem of connections and serving to operate both motion-plates or bars,substantially as herein described.

8. The combination, with a switch, switchlock, and home signal, of asingle motion-plate or bar and system of connections, and apurchase-wheel or equivalent handle arranged and connected in permanentoperative rela tion to said system for shifting said switch,switch-lock, and signal in the order named to prepare them for traffic,and in the reverse order to return them to normal condition, a distantsignal and devices for operating it from the motion plate, connectionswhereby the distant signal will be moved to safety as the said platecompletes its movementin to the switch or switch-lock, substantially asherein described.

10. The combination, with a switch or switchlock and duplicateconnections for shifting it, of a single sliding motion-plate providedwith duplicate cam-slots with which said connections are engaged, onewith. each slot, substantially as herein described.

11. The combination, with the two pointrails of a switch, and tie 'odsconnecting them and insuring their simultaneous movement, of operatingrods or bars connected one with each pointd'ail, and a singlemotion-plate or bar by which equal and simultaneous motion istransmitted through said rods or bars to the two rails, substantially asherein described.

HENRY JOHNSON. CHARLES R. JOHNSON.

\Vitnesses as to signature of Henry Johnson:

In. K. GRAY, GEO. E. READ.

\Vitnesses as to signature of Chas. R. Johnson:

FREDK. HAYNES, FRANK MoGrn'rv.

